True and False Faith

James 2:14-26

Introduction

Faith is a key teaching in the Christian life. The sinner is saved by faith (Eph. 2:8-9), and the believer must walk by faith (2 Cor. 5:7). Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6); and whatsoever is not of faith is sin (Rom 14:23).
In Hebrews 11, we meet people who acted on God’s Word, no matter what price they had to pay. Faith is confidence that God’s Word is true, and belief that acting on that Word will bring His blessing.
What kind of faith really saves a person? Is good works needed for salvation? How can a person tell if his faith is true saving faith? James answers these questions by telling us that there are three kinds of faith, only one of which is true saving faith. The Bible teaches 3 kinds of faith: Dead Faith, Demonic Faith, Saving Faith.

I. Dead Faith (Jas. 2:14-17)
A. The person with dead faith has only head belief.
B. In his mind, he knows about Christianity, but he has never submitted himself to God and trusted Christ for salvation. It’s just plain familiarity and head belief. My Indian friends have seen the movies, 10 Commandments, Jesus of Nazareth, etc. and believe that we are right but they will never be a Christian. Remember the parable of the Sower in Mt. 13?
C. He knows the right words, but cannot “walk” the “talk”. Faith in Christ brings life (John 3:16), and the fruit of salvation is good work.
D. This kind of faith cannot save. Any profession of faith that does not result in a changed life and good works is a false declaration.
E. Beware of a mere intellectual faith. No man can come to Christ by faith and remain the same. You cannot remain a drunkard and say you are a Christian. “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life” (1 Jn. 5:12). Dead faith is not saving faith. Dead faith is counterfeit faith and deceives the person into a false confidence of eternal life.
F. What saving faith is not:

Mere knowledge; mental assent of the facts pertaining to Christ (Jas. 2:19-20).
A spiritual heritage; second generation Christianity (Jn. 8:39; 1:13).
A Christian lifestyle and profession (Mt. 7:21-23).

Illustration/Application: Dead Faith
To illustrate dead faith, “It is that kind of faith which would lead a man to take a bottle of medicine from his medicine cabinet. Looking at the instructions on it, he says, ‘I’m sure they’re correct. I have all confidence in the source of the medicine. I know who wrote these directions. I believe everything about it. I know this will relieve my headache, if I just take it.’ But he takes the medicine bottle and puts it back on the shelf. He doesn’t lose his headache. It continues on. Yet he can say I believe that medicine. I believe all about that medicine. But still he won’t take it. That’s dead faith.” James 2:20 –
Dr. Harlan Roper, Tape on James, Dallas, Texas

II. Demonic Faith (Jas. 2:18-19)
A. It comes as a shock to people that demons have faith! What do they believe? For one thing, they believe in the existence of God.
B. A mere intellectual belief is not enough to be saved; there must be a heart belief. The Christian life is lived from the heart, not from the head. James makes it clear that just to believe in God is not sufficient to be called a saving faith, for even the Devil and his demons believe in God.

They also believe in the deity of Christ. Whenever they met Christ when He was on earth, they bore witness to His sonship (Mk. 3:11-12).
They believe in the existence of a place of punishment (Lk. 8:31);
They also recognize Jesus Christ as the Judge (Mk. 5:1-13). They submit to the power of His Word.
“Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord!” (Deut. 6:4) This was the daily affirmation of faith of the godly Jew. “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that – and tremble” (Jas. 2:19). The man with dead faith was touched only in his intellect; but the demons are touched also in their emotions. They believe and tremble.
C. The demons believe and tremble. But it is not a saving experience to believe and tremble. A person can be enlightened in his mind, even emotionally affected and still be lost forever. True saving faith involves something that can be seen and recognized: a changed life. “Show me thy faith without thy works,” challenged James, “and I will show thee my faith by my works” (Jas. 2:18).

III. Saving Faith (Jas. 2:20-26)
A. Saving faith is faith that is real, faith that has power, faith that results in a changed life.
B. Saving faith is based on the Word of God, the Bible. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Rom. 10:17). James used Abraham and Rahab as illustrations of dynamic saving faith. Both heard and received the message of God and acted upon it.
C. The object of faith is very important. No matter how much faith a person may have, if it is not directed at the right object, it’s as good as nothing. “I believe” may be the testimony of many sincere people, but the big question is, “In whom do you believe? What do you believe?” A person can be sincere and still be sincerely wrong. We are saved by faith in Christ as revealed in His Word.
D. What saving faith is:

Receiving Jesus Christ (Jn. 1:12). Biblical salvation is a personal relationship with the living Christ.
Coming to Christ (Jn. 6:35).
To be sure of Christ (Jn. 6:66-69).
To know Christ (Jn. 17:3).
Confidence in Christ (Heb. 3:6,14).
Ceasing from one’s own works (Heb. 4:10).
Fleeing for refuge in Christ (Heb. 6:18).

IV. Conclusion:
It is important that each professing Christian examine his own heart and life and make sure that he possesses true saving faith, dynamic faith. “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves” (2 Cor. 13:5 a). Nothing happens by accident. You are reading this message now because Jesus Christ wants you to really examine your faith. Your future is at stake, don’t delay. With all the earthquakes, famines, tsunamis, hurricanes, wars, the signs that the Lord may come anytime as written in the Bible cannot be taken lightly. There are many false faiths. Faith in Christ can never be wrong. Put your faith in Him if you want to go spend eternity in heaven.